logan2z

I'm currently looking for new tires for my 993. The car is not a daily driver, I drive primarily in the dry, and don't take the car on the track. I've got 18" Bridgestone S02s on the car now and was thinking of going to Michelin PS2s, but read a lot of positive things about the Sumitomo HTR Z III, and the price is very attractive. Are the Sumitomos really all they're cracked up to be? Has anyone gone to the budget Sumitomos from a premium priced tire like the S02 or PS2 and regret the decision?

Stealth 993

I have gone from SO2's to HTRZ III's to PS2's.

The Sumi's are very nice, better then wearing SO2's, but not as good as PS2's. if you are just street driving the PS2's might be a bit much, but for any kind of competition, the PS2's, or Yoko AD08's.

I have nothing bad to say about the Sumi's, they wore well, stuck well, & were quiet. They did lack a bit of turn in feel, & ultimate wet/dry grip. But I feel only 3 out of 10 drivers would notice.

Amfab

I have had S02s and HTRIIs and now have HTRIIIs. I agree with the turn in comment above, the S02s seem a little more nimble, but the Sumis are great tires, and wear much longer, The HTRIIs are noisy but good too. I commute on Los Angeles Freeways so the Sumis slightly heavier turn in feel actually helps as they dont hunt a peck around as much.

Sumis win by far with regards to price

David993S

i switched from SO2's to Sumi's and am very pleased with the change. Like you, I don't track my 993 so for street driving they are a better choice, IMO. The ride quality is much better, they are quieter, the handling is just a good (provided you not pushing the car near or to its limits) and you can't beat the price. I now have about 2500 miles on mine with no visible wear. I liked them so much I put them on my 360 Modena (shhhh......don't want to be kicked out of the Ferrari Club) and also on an older Alfa Spider.

Ed Burdell

+1 on the S02 to HRZ III switchover. I'm lovin' them!

BobbyT

Another vote for the Sumi IIIs, after running AVS, PS2s and PZero Rossos. I really don't notice any difference, but I don't track the car.

timothymoffat

4000 miles on the Sumi III's and still loving them. Remember the S02 is now a very old design first appearing in, I believe, 1994/95. I've had Michelin Pilot Sport "Ribs" (old model, like the S02), Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positions in both 17" and 18" sizes, Bridgestone RE01Rs (discontinued...not sure why), and now the Sumitomo HTRZIIIs. I can honestly say that for street use the Sumi IIIs are a great tire. I really can't see how the PS2s are worth twice as much.

DaveM993

I run the HTRZIII and love them. 5000 and still going strong. I have also used them on the track a couple of times and they blew away the Conti Contact Sport 2 (N spec) by a mile...but that probably ain't sayin' much. Not as good as PS2, but clearly the biggest bang for the buck.

flatsixforme

I have the Sumi's III's as well. Had the Sumi II's first (PO put them on) and they were not that great compared to the III's. These are my only two tires I've used but have tracked them both. III's seem to be just fine...I keep up just fine with the 993 guys that have AD07's/PS2's/etc. That siad, I've been toying with the idea of trying something different for my next set which will see mostly DE/AX time. I don't want to spend much more than the Sumi's and for the size rear I need (285/295) I think I only have one choice as far as I can tell...Hankook Ventus v12 evo...I think they are pretty new so I have not seen much on them. They are a 280 treadwear versus the 300 of the III's. Anyone have any experience with these (not to hijack the thread...more as another comparison point)?

jdistefa

Used them in a pinch on the track with my M Coupe. Surprisingly good tire re. wear and grip. Would agree they don't have the feel of a PS2 or ultimate stick of an AD07, but for the money - whatever! Just put a set on my STi...

John D.

+1 what Matt and most have said... I use them on my 993 as a daily driver - and run those same tires in DEs (Red group). While they are NOT my old PS2s or Yokos - they grip just fine for me... In fact, I'll be putting Sumi IIIs on Jen's 964 C4 when I get the engine back in this week...

Great "bang for the buck" - IMHO...

John

fast_freddy

I don't have HTRZ's on my 993 but I do have them on my Saab and I am quite impresed with them. They're quiet, have terrific grip and as far as I can tell are great in the wet. I do have PS2's on my 993 and frankly I can't tell any grip difference. Turn in on the Sumi's is not the greatest though. Granted, the two types of cars couldn't be any different.

Kika

I went from PS2s to the HTRZIIIs and have no issues. My 993 is purely a street car, no DE and no Track.

I am happy with the Sumitomos.

pewter82

great tire's . Had them on all my 928's (5) and my M3. Great bang for the buck and very good in the rain if you ever have your car out in it

jason

99 C4S
02 M3
83 928 S

CADguy

I am also thinking about the Sumitomo HTR Z IIIs when I need new tires probable next year (or so), but I'll be switching from BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDs (put on by PO and the only tires I've had on the 993).

I have yet to hear anyone on this list mention the BF Goodrich tires. My '97 C2 is lowered to RS spec with H&Rs and the BF Goodrich tires stick like glue and are not noisey.
Not to hijack the thread (just kind of expanding it ), but anyone ever use the BF Goodrich tires I mentioned?